Who Is Number One?

What do you rank as most important in your life?  For some, security fits the number one slot. Family and marriage may come next. Giving God top billing may happen when facing a crisis. David in Psalm 57 pleads with God to keep him in the shadow of his wings for only there could he be safe.

David perceived God as Most High God and addressed him by that name. “I cried out to God Most High who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends help from heaven to save me because of his love and faithfulness." The name Most High defined for David God’s tremendous power and provision.

Recounting what God provides prompts you to love him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Listen to David’s gratitude: “Oh God, I offer my thanks and praise to you for delivering me from death and preventing my feet from stumbling so that I always walk in the light of life.” Could this be your testimony?                             

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I will praise you, Lord! You always do right. I will sing about you, the Lord Most High.

~Psalm 7:17 Contemporary English Version

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Keeping Faith Alive

The biblical account of Jacob and Esau reflects our personality and behaviors. Esau believed in taking one day at a time while his brother Jacob was a man going somewhere with a definite attitude and purpose. He wanted power, position and control, so he persuaded a very hungry Esau to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew.

Most people will give food to someone genuinely hungry, but not Jacob. Evidently his value system did not intend for generosity to play a significant role in his life nor a belief that God would provide for his needs. His attitude was if he didn’t do things, they wouldn’t get done. Yet when we trust God to meet our needs, we feel secure.

When we’re bombarded by those eager to take from us all they can get, we're tempted to shut down generosity. Faith in Christ Jesus inspires giving to those in sincere need. James 2:17 warns that faith without good deeds is dead. Faith and generosity build a bridge to mutuality, giving to each other.